Autumn Rain

Welcome back to the Polymer Clay Smooshers!!!  Michelle, of Creative Critters, was gracious enough to take over the administration of the group, sooo, we are back.

This weeks blog ring is about Autumn Rain.  Seems like everyone loves this time of the year.  I wonder why??  Does it have anything to do with cooling off after a long hot summer?  Or maybe, it's the beautiful colors that pop up everywhere?  Oh yeah, maybe the sights, smells and sounds that are all around; think crackling camp fire, apple pie, children laughing and running in their colorful costumes during trick or treat, and the fragrance and sound of crunching leaves under foot.

Whatever the reason you love Autumn, you should love the look of the jewelry and other items that are being designed by the creative artisans in the smooshers!

Sharp Art by Dawna made this beautiful, and colorful, pendant. 

Just look how bright this brooch looks by Valerie's Stuff.

 

This is sooo cool!  Look at the detail on this sculpture by The Kraft Kottage. 

I would like to take the time to thank those of you who support all the handmade artisans out there. Handmade items can be unique, beautiful, useful, quirky, you name it and I'm sure you can find it.  Be it jewelry, housewares, soap, clothing or the multitude of other things that are made one at a time, your patronage means a lot.

Til next time, remember:

"Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens."

- Jimi Hendrix

Happy Autumn

Ok, so it's not quite official yet, but, who cares.  I love Fall.

Football has started and already my grandson is a fan.....and sooo cute too.

I have buckled down and taken this week to start on my goal of perfecting one polymer clay technique before moving on to another one.  Thanks Star for the link to all those wonderful techniques! 

I decided to try my hand at mica shift.  For those of you who aren't familiar with mica shift, it involves using special metallic clay, run through a pasta machine multiple times to allow the mica particles to line up.  Once impressed with a stamp, the raised areas are carefully sliced off leaving an image of the stamp on the smooth surface.  After the clay is baked, sanded and buffed {or coated with a glossy medium} the result is a 3D effect that is hard to believe unless you see it up close and personal. 

I made a few pendants using several colors of the metallic clay.  Here are a few in a soft copper.

This really looks better in person!

I was attempting to show the gloss from buffing.

I hope you can see the 3D effect.

This one shows the glossy effect a little better.

Here is the one I did in silver.

The silver looks a little darker in this picture.

Once I get some better pictures with my light box or outside, I'll be posting these on my ArtFire site.

I gotta say, I really like this technique. It took several attempts to get the right amount of slice off the clay, but, that's OK, if you don't have success on the first go round, just start over.  With all the stamps available the design possibilities are enormous.  I can't wait to continue with this process in different colors. 

If you are interested in trying your hand at mica shift, here are a few links:

http://www.hobbizine.com/pcmicashift.html
http://www.polymerclaycentral.com/ms_texture.html

Til next time, remember..........

"Anything that is too stupid to be spoken is sung."

- Voltaire (1694-1778)

Gettin chilly!

What a beautiful, crisp, very cool Friday morning I woke to!  It's continued through the day and now it's a very cool Friday evening.  I'll admit it, I put my heat on.  Yikes, and technically, it's still summer.  I love the feel of fall and am looking forward to all the trees changing.  It's time to start working to get ready for a few shows in November. Don't really have anything planned for this weekend, so it may be a good time to further organize my work space and see what I have.  Then I'll be able to devote time to claying and creating.

The only problem with polymer clay is the multitude of uses and techniques there are!  So many great artisans have developed their own styles and there are so many different products that you can incorporate into your design, it boggles the mind.  Since starting my journey with clay, a little over a year ago, I have picked up so many tips, techniques and possibilities that it seems like I'll never have time to try everything.  Just when I think I have found one technique that I want to focus on, I stumble on another one.  As a result, I have many works underway and don't give myself the time to really master any one.  That is going to change.  My goal is to develop my skills in an area until I make pieces that rival those of the true polymer experts.  {I just hope I live that long!}

On another note, the Polymer Clay Smooshers Guild has closed.  I was not a member for that long, but really appreciate the time and effort the administrators put into keeping the guild up and running.  Through them I have become more aware of resources out there for promoting ones art and have had the pleasure of seeing other artisans beautiful and truly unique designs.  So, Star, I thank you and I wish everyone well. 

Till next time....Remember; Life is short and time is precious for us all.  Make sure you are happy in whatever you decide to do, take nothing for granted and, yes, take time to stop and smell the roses.  Take care of yourself first, then you will be better able to care for others.

Rainy September

Hi all,

Well, it's been a while since I wrote.  I can't believe how fast this summer went.  And, talk about crazy weather and earth shaking events!  Ok, maybe we shouldn't talk about it anymore.

I have not had too much time to work on my clay; did get to move my "studio" downstairs....well, my daughters moved it.  It's not really a studio, more like two tables piled with all my supplies.  I really need to make time to get more organized.  At least my dining room is now usable!  I think if I had a cleaner, dedicated work space {and room}, I may have more energy and desire to sit and create.

I think I am going to spend a few days looking at clay creations and varying techniques to see if I can get the juices flowing again.  I found a good tutorial for a faux leather look, and am anxious to try it.  I'll post some pictures when I'm done.  

I hope everyone is staying dry and safe in this east coast weather we are having!

Til next time.......